The Tennessee Legislature is now adjourned, but NFIB worked hard to protect the state’s small business owners right until the end. In late April, just before adjournment, hundreds of NFIB members made calls and emails about House Bill 2310. This bill contained a harmful provision that would have authorized the state to hire third parties to conduct sales and use tax audits. However, thanks to your activism, NFIB convinced lawmakers that the state should always conduct these proceedings rather than farm them out to vendors who would have access to confidential taxpayer information.
Here’s a roundup of the other key state victories achieved for your small business over the past two years during the 110th General Assembly, none of which could be achieved without your support—thank you for raising your voices!
Labor Reform (SB 262)
This bill preempts any local governments from establishing predictive or restrictive scheduling laws on businesses. NFIB supported it, and it passed the House 67-24-1 and the Senate 29-3.
Regulatory Reform (SB 1194, SB 1371, HB 1143, HB 362)
SB 1194 removes the requirement to be licensed to shampoo hair, in the vein of the Right to Earn a Living Act. NFIB supported it, and it passed the House 84-5 and the Senate 26-0.
SB 1371 ensures that air pollution permit decisions are based on scientific air data and federal requirements, not local land use and zoning objections. NFIB supported it, and it passed the House 69-23-2 and the Senate 26-3-2.
HB 1143 clarifies inclusionary zoning language prohibiting local governments from below-market rental pricing while preserving the use of voluntary incentives for affordable housing initiatives. NFIB supported it, and it passed the House 72-21-1 and the Senate 21-6.
HB 362 says post-construction stormwater permit requirements cannot be more stringent than current EPA requirements and requires state legislative review of NPDES permits regulating a local government entity’s municipal separate stormwater system. NFIB supported it, and it passed the House 78-7 and the Senate 28-2.
Licensing Reform (SB 2465)
This bill provides certain protections and an appeals process for applicants with a criminal background to obtain a professional license, certificate, or registration, in the vein of the Right to Earn a Living Act. NFIB supported it, and it passed the House 90-0 and the Senate 32-0.
Workforce Development Reform (SB 1649)
Senate Bill 1649 by Sen. Mark Norris and Rep. John Forgety improves liability framework for employers that employ students in work-based learning programs and establishes a pilot franchise and excise tax grant program for hiring employers. NFIB supported it, and it passed the House 91-0 and the Senate 31-0.
While there were numerous important victories this session, there were some disappointments as well. Unfortunately, a few important efforts to level the playing field for small businesses stalled at the end of session. However, NFIB will renew efforts next year to eliminate the discriminatory professional privilege tax on 22 professions, as well as repeal the discriminatory amusement tax on small fitness centers.
